Lament

A series of short snippets focusing on Kaidan.

Snippet 1: Survival

"Oh Jeff… Oh Normandy… " Dr. Chakwas lowered her head, silver hair shielding her face. Was she crying? Saying a prayer? Kaidan couldn't tell. The somber crew members were all transfixed upon the small window of the escape pod, their gaze held captive as the struggling Normandy slipped further from view.

Then it was over, all over. Gone was the majestic ship. The last of the explosions vanished almost as quickly as they had appeared.

Timidly one of the crew spoke what had been on most of their minds, "Do you think Shepard made it out?"

Another spoke, "What do you think? It's Shepard. That woman has more lives than a cat."

"Yeah…"

Pensively Kaidan continued to stare outside; uncertainty stubbornly sank into the pit of his stomach. He wanted to believe that she made it out more than anything. God, how he had wanted to stay behind and help her… Die with her if need be. But orders were orders and they had both made a promise that what they had wouldn't "muddy" things. She was his commanding officer and he the ever loyal subordinate.

"I-is that a pod?"

Excitement.

"They made it! Oh thank God!"

"YES!"

"I suppose we can both rest easy, Lieutenant." Kaidan looked to Chakwas, the worry-lines on her forehead faded as she offered him an encouraging smile. He released a shaky breath as a hesitant smile graced his lips in response.

"As soon as the Alliance ships find us they'll have us back here for sure. It's more than troubling that 'cruiser' was able to spot us. Stealth was up and running as far as I know," Kaidan mused.

"It's a shame we lost such a fine ship. And I would hate bear the brunt of the rebuke our dear Commander is going to receive for losing her."

"Nevermind the people we lost today…" Kaidan eyed the last of the escape pods. Shepard would probably stoically listen as Udina shouted on and on all the while wagging his finger and slamming fists into palms. The Ambassador would likely never forgive her for endorsing Anderson over him.

Wherever the escape pod was heading, the rest of the journey was in odd silence. Kaidan closed his eyes, he and Shepard had a mess to explain and more than anything he wanted to embrace her as soon as they joined up but such things would have to wait.

***

Kaidan slipped on his helmet, "I'll return as soon as I can with Shepard and Joker. Their pod couldn't have crashed that far from us." He eyed the snowy field before him, perhaps that far was a bit of an understatement. "Keep the pod door locked to keep warm. The batteries in the pod should have more than enough juice until a rescue team comes by." Kaidan looked over his shoulder as he climbed out of the pod.

"Be safe, Lieutenant."

"You too, Doctor Chakwas."

And with that he trekked onward, snow crunching beneath his every step. He knew it was probably for the best that he remained with the crew but he had to be sure, had to know that Shepard had made it out. Seeing an escape pod shoot out mid-explosion could mean anything. What if the pod was empty, launching simply because by chance debris managed to hit the button?

The snow stretched out for miles and Kaidan stubbornly continued on, stopping briefly for a quick respite only to persist on with his search. After a few hours he had almost given up hope, when at last a glimmer of light shined like a beacon amongst the blankets of snow that surrounded him; the escape pod. He quickly launched his omni tool and scanned the area before him; a distress single pointed straight ahead.

With a sprint, he dashed forward. His aching muscles cried out in agony as he rushed toward the lone pod in the field. God, he couldn't wait to see her. The first thing he'd tell her was that he loved her but before all that he wanted to kiss her. Maybe Joker would be unconscious. Regs be damned.

All the hope that built up as he stepped closer and closer couldn't help but bubble over, she was in there more than likely lecturing Joker, "When the order to evac is given, Joker you have to take it! Throwing your life away is meaningless. Especially the life of someone who is as talented and gifted as you, Joker… Jeff. Don't ever disobey an order like that ever again." She'd laugh, "Who knew a buckled down pilot was nearly the death of me?"

As Kaidan neared the pod, he could hear sobbing. He cringed, that wasn't what he had expected. Shepard must have laid into him good. "Wipe your eyes, Joker. Lieutenant Alenko opening the hatch," and with deft fingers punching in a code, the door to the escape pod was opened.

I hope you enjoyed this. Sorry it's so short. Work really… leaves little time for the things I love to do. This whole series of snippets is dedicated to the Kaidan Alenko Appreciation Society and the Kaidan Alenko Support Threads on the Bioware Social Site. You ladies and gents rock my socks.